Prof. Franciszek Bunsch
Prof. Franciszek Bunsch, Polish playing-card designer.
Franciszek Bunsch
Franciszek Bunsch was assistant professor in the Cracovian Academy of Fine Art.
Bunsch studied painting and graphics at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and graphics at the Akademie Výtarných Umeni in Prague. During the 1950s, 60s and 70s he designed packs of playing cards for the Krakowskie Zaklady Wyrobów Papierowych (KZWP) state playing card factory. His designs followed traditions of Polish folklore painting and showed traditional costumes from different parts of the country. He also designed packs with historic personalities.
Above: cards from a 32-card German-suited Skat pack designed in 1963 which is based loosely on the German 'Prussian' style see more→
Above: Joker and three court cards from a standard Anglo-American deck based on Goodall designs by Franciszek Bunsch for KZWP, c.1965. Bunsch's monogram can be seen at the centre of the Joker. A two-colour version Communist-era 'Biwak' patience set is shown below, with the retail price printed as 70 zloty + 3 zloty. See the same court cards used in Cardiology Trials deck→
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Activity for Prof. Franciszek Bunsch
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Calligraphy Card Game
Military figures executed in calligraphic flourishes by Johann Christoph Albrecht.
Hallmark
A folksy take on playing card courts.
Fact & Fancy : a Deck of Decks
A tour of the world of playing cards featuring the incomparable art of Dick Martin.
Schweizer Trachten
Schweizer Trachten No.174 (Costumes Suisses) by Dondorf.
Folk Cards
Folk Cards designed by Krystyna Gruchalska-Bunsch for Lot Polish Airlines, 1962.
Virginie Houdet
Virginie Houdet “Cartes à Jouer” limited edition, 2017.
Jacques Branger designs for Miro Company
Luxury packs published by Miro Company (Paris) featuring designs by Jacques Branger, c.1940s.
Math Stack
“Math Stack” playing cards designed by Diana Stanciulescu, illustrating and explaining 36 important ...
Anonymous Dutch deck, 1940s
Anonymous Dutch deck, 1940s
De la Rue for export
Non-standard playing cards produced by De la Rue & Co. (London), c.1930s
Geneviève Lirola
Stylish modern designs by the painter, decorator and ceramist Geneviève Lirola, featuring unity of c...
Renée Sturbelle
Artistic playing cards with abstract designs by Renée Sturbelle, first published by Brepols S.A., Tu...
Karl Gerich
Karl Gerich's interest in playing-card production came to the fore while studying at Bath Academy of...
The 52 Club
The London College of Printing '52 Club' Designers and Artists playing cards, 1984.
Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards
Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards
Skat by Franciszek Bunsch
Skat pack designed by Franciszek Bunsch
Relief of Vienna
“Relief of Vienna” tri-centenary pack, 1983
Jagiellonskie
Jagiellonskie Playing Cards with Polish Kings and Queens, made in Poland
Anna Gaber
Anna Gaber playing cards from Poland.
The History of Playing Cards
Playing cards appear in European records in the late 14th century, but their earlier history lies fu...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
